British Birding Association UK400 Club

This is the UK400 Club Rare Bird Alert for Monday 10th March 2008, issued at 1700 hours and published in association with Rare Bird Alert Pagers (www.rarebirdalert.com), the Regional Birdlines and Birdguides (www.birdguides.com) and utilising information gleaned from individual websites and email groups and from individual observers. A personalised alert system is available to all UK400 Club Online subscribers.

 

One of the most intense storms of the winter arrived over Southern Britain overnight, bringing heavy rain and gale force winds (reaching 95 mph on the Isle of Wight, 82 mph on the Mumbles, Swansea and 77 mph on Scilly). Coinciding with high spring tides, the south coast took some battering, particularly Devon and Cornwall. Despite its potency, few birds of interest arrived in its wake, with seawatching in Dorset and South Devon yielding little more than a handful of Balearic and Manx Shearwaters, Pomarine Skuas and Sandwich Terns.

 

The past week has seen a few new arrivals, the most striking being the reappearance of the first-year KILLDEER on Shetland - back at Pool of Virkie on at least 6th-9th March. This bird was last seen on Shetland on 4th November 2007 (after spending 7 months on the archipelago) and represented the 270th species of the year. Other highlights included the drake LESSER SCAUP at Loch Magillie/Soulseat Loch, Stranraer (Galloway) (3rd-10th) and the Draycote bird at Brandon Marsh NR (Warks) on 5th, a LITTLE BUNTING at Porth Farm NT, 6 miles SE of Truro (Cornwall) (SW 867 239) on 4th-6th, a couple of early Ospreys (271), a wintering Curlew Sandpiper in Essex (at Coalhouse Fort, Tilbury - 272) and a fairly confiding EURASIAN HOOPOE at Llanrwst (Conwy) (4th-10th).

 

Detailed summary of sightings - 1st-10th March 2008

(please note that LGRE welcomes all reports of such species in this summary - email LGREUK400@aol.com)

 

RED-THROATED DIVER

Inland, one remained at Far Ings NT (North Lincs) from 1st-7th March

 

BLACK-THROATED DIVER

The only freshwater bird remains the juvenile at Llys-y-Fran Reservoir (Pembrokeshire) from 1st-10th

 

GREAT NORTHERN DIVER

Inland, long-staying juveniles include singles at Chasewater (Staffs), Carsington Water (Derbyshire), Island Barn Reservoir (London) (to 2nd), Cheddar Reservoir (Somerset) (to 7th) and Chew Valley Lake (Avon).

 

SLAVONIAN GREBE

Surprisingly scarce, with 3 inland at Alton Water (Suffolk) and 1-2 on Dungeness ARC Pit (Kent).

 

BLACK-NECKED GREBE

At Staines Reservoirs (Surrey), numbers have increased from 3 to 8 in the past week, with 5 more on William Girling Reservoir (London) and 3 on Dungeness ARC Pit (Kent). Elsewhere, 2 remain on Ibsley Water (Hants) and another at Orton Brick Pits (Cambs).

 

RED-NECKED GREBE

Three remain inland, with singles at Buckden GP (Cambs), Cheddar Reservoir (Somerset) and at Weir Wood Reservoir (Sussex).

 

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON

The long-staying adult of unknown origin remains at Mere Sands Wood LWT, NW of Rufford (Lancs) and south of the B5246 Holmeswood Road. It can be viewed in its daytime roost spot from either Cyril Gibbon's Hide or from the second footbridge along the End Lane Trail. It is likely that this is an escape from Edinburgh Zoo but is unringed.

 

CATTLE EGRET

In Cornwall, up to 19 remain between Drift and Sancreed near Treganhoe Farm and 11 on the Camel Estuary (viewed from the Tregunna Hide), with 1 still NW of the Golden Lion causeway at Stithians Reservoir. In North Devon, at least 5 continue near Bideford and in South Devon, three remain on the Kingsbridge Estuary and 3 near Powderham Church. Three intermittently roost at Radipole Lake RSPB (Dorset), with others at East Holme and at Abbotsbury, and 2 still remain at East Lavant (Sussex). Elsewhere in the country, one remains in South Wales at Pennard (Swansea), with another near Higer Poynton (Cheshire).

 

GREAT WHITE EGRET

A bird remains at Shapwick Heath (Somerset) at Noah's Lake, with an unringed adult at Cotswold Water Park (Wilts) on Pit 60.

 

WHITE STORK

A bird presumably from the free-flying collection at Harewood flew along the River Wharfe between Ilkley and Otley (West Yorks) on 9th.

 

GLOSSY IBIS

Both overwintering birds remain, with the Coto Donanan-ringed (Spain) 2nd-winter at Howden's Pullover (North Lincs) and another 2nd-winter at Warton Bank, Lytham St Anne's (Lancs) (the latter relocating to Marshside Marsh RSPB on 9th-10th).

 

SACRED IBIS

The colour-ringed bird of unknown origin remains at Holkham Freshmarsh (Norfolk).

 

EURASIAN SPOONBILL

In Cornwall, 3 birds remain on the River Lynher and another on the River Camel, whilst in North Devon, 4 continue at Islay Marsh RSPB, Taw Estuary. Up to 9 continue at Middlebere and on Brownsea Island (Dorset), with 1-2 more at Lodmoor RSPB (Dorset).

 

SNOW GOOSE

A blue morph adult Snow Goose remains with Pink-footed Geese in the Falside Farm/Kilconquhar Lake area of Fife (1st-10th).

 

ROSS'S SNOW GOOSE

In Norfolk, one of three overwintering adults this winter returned to Holkham Freshmarsh, where it could be seen daily with up to 3,000 lingering Pink-footed Geese from 3rd-10th. Two further birds have already migrated northwest back towards the Arctic but have stopped in North Lancashire/Cumbria, with one at Aldcliffe Marshes and another near Low Eskrigg.

 

TUNDRA BEAN GEESE

In East Anglia, lingering birds remain at Abberton Reservoir (Essex) and Wherstead Strand (Suffolk), with 3 at Welney WWT (Norfolk) and another in SE England at Scotney GP (East Sussex).

 

RED-BREASTED GOOSE

The adult that wintered with Dark-bellied Brent Geese at West Wittering (West Sussex) was last reported at Sandy Point, Hayling Island (Hants) on 8th, whilst the adult with Barnacle Geese on the Solway Firth reappeared at Caerlaverock WWT (Dumfries & Galloway) on 7th. Further feral/escaped individuals include an adult in Suffolk, one with a yellow and red ring on its left leg at Chigborough Lakes (Essex) and another unringed bird at Huntingdon Water Meadows (Cambs) on 6th.

 

FALCATED DUCK

A drake remains at Countess Wear Sewage Farm Lagoon (South Devon) (to 9th), with further drakes of suspect origin at Cop Mere (Staffs) and at Southfleet (Kent).

 

AMERICAN WIGEON

In what has been an exceptionally poor winter for this species just three remain, with single drakes on the Wick River (Caithness), Pollyvashir on the Isle of Man and in Angle Bay (Pembrokeshire).

 

NORTH AMERICAN GREEN-WINGED TEAL

Overwintering birds still present include two on Orkney (at Tankerness Loch and at Loch of Brockan), one on Shetland (Loch of Tingwall) and in Northumberland (Woodhorn Flash), whilst long-staying drakes remain at Marshside Marsh RSPB (Lancs) and Elton Hall Flash, Sandbach (Cheshire). A sprinkling of returning passage birds which have wintered elsewhere in Southern Europe include single drakes at Gibraltar Point NNR (Lincs) (1st), Eyebrook Reservoir (Rutland) (5th, 7th, 9th), Back Saltholme Pool (Cleveland) (6th-7th) and Stanwick Country Park (Northants) (8th-10th).

 

GARGANEY

A sprinkling of early arrivals, with a drake exceptionally north on the Outer Hebrides (seen at Loch Fada, Benbecula, on 4th and on Loch Bee, South Uist, on 9th) and further drakes at Barnes WWT (London) (2nd-10th) and at Leg of Mutton NR (London) on 8th.

 

LESSER SCAUP

Adult drakes remained at Stourhead NT, Stourton (Wilts) until 3rd and at Torr Reservoir (Somerset) to 2nd, with the Draycote Water (Warks) first-winter drake moving overnight on 4th to Brandon Marsh NR (5th). In Galloway, a drake was seen at Loch Magillie/Soulseat Loch from 3rd-10th.

 

RING-NECKED DUCK

A female remains at Bassenthwaite Lake (Cumbria) and an adult drake at Foxcote Reservoir (North Bucks), with a 'new' drake at Rutland Water (Leics) on 9th.

 

KING EIDER

A first-winter drake remained in North Devon off the Skern at Northam Burrows throughout, whilst in Argyll, an adult drake was once again off Uisead Point on 1st-3rd.

 

SURF SCOTER

On the South Coast, single first-winter females remain off Dawlish Warren (South Devon) and between West Bexington and Abbotsbury (Dorset), whilst regular adult drakes include singles off Dornoch Pier (Sutherland), Lower Largo (Fife) and Ruddon's Point, Largo Bay (Fife).

 

LONG-TAILED DUCK

Most unusual is the 5 first-winters at Hanningfield Reservoir (Essex) from 1st-10th, whilst other freshwater sightings include singles at Hornsea Mere (East Yorks) on 1st, on Castle Loch NR (Galloway) (to 1st), a first-winter female at Stretton Sugwas Pits (Herefordshire) on 1st-8th, Rutland Water North Arm (Rutland) on 4th, Hauxley NR (Northumberland) on 1st-10th, Rye Harbour Long Pit (East Sussex) on 1st-10th and at Wimbleball Lake (Somerset) on 3rd-10th. Two females remained on Pit 27, Barton-on-Humber (North Lincs) until at least 1st.

 

OSPREY

Early returning migrants included singles heading north over Oxenton (Gloucs) on 4th, Brandon Marsh NR (Warks) on 7th and over Winchester M3 Services (Hants) on 7th.

 

ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD

Two wintering birds remain on the Isle of Sheppey (Kent), with others at Sleddale (North Yorks) and at Scolt Head Island (Norfolk).

 

SPOTTED CRAKE

An exceptionally early migrant flew in off the sea exhausted at Shoreham-by-Sea (West Sussex) on 19th February.

 

COMMON CRANE

The peak count in the Norfolk Broadland area/Stubb Mill roost in the past 10 days has been of 23 birds, whilst elsewhere, an adult remains with Whooper Swans at Welney WWT (Norfolk) and in Northern Scotland, 3 birds continue near Hastigrow (Caithness) (to 5th at least) and another 3 between Pitagavenny House and Gordonsward (Moray & Nairn) (NJ 242 648). Two flew over Banff (Aberdeenshire) at midday on 7th with others at Farcet and Willow Hall Lane, Peterborough (Cambs) on 7th-8th and at Huttoft Bank Pit LWT (North Lincs) with 32 Whooper Swans on 7th-8th.

 

GREAT BUSTARD

A bird from the Salisbury Plain (Wilts) release scheme remains off the A429 Way at Foss Cross (Gloucs) at c.SP065092. From the Hare & Hounds Pub, go south west towards Calmsden to view the kale field on the left. The bird has been present since at least 29th February.

 

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER

A trickle of migrants recorded from 3rd March.

 

CURLEW SANDPIPER

The first of the year involved a winter-plumaged bird on the East Tilbury foreshore (Essex) on 8th.

 

TEMMINCK'S STINT

An overwintering bird remains on the Dumbles, Slimbridge WWT (Gloucs).

 

WHIMBREL

At least four overwintering birds remain, with a scattering of migrant flocks noted along the South Coast this last week.

 

WILSON'S SNIPE

The overwintering bird on Lower Moors, St Mary's (Isles of Scilly), remained until at least 5th.

 

LESSER YELLOWLEGS

A first-winter continues at Montrose Basin LNR (Angus).

 

SPOTTED SANDPIPER

An overwintering first-winter remains present at Lisvane Reservoir, Cardiff (East Glamorgan).

 

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER

The overwintering bird remains at Bowling Green Marsh RSPB, Topsham (South Devon).

 

RING-BILLED GULL

Long-staying regular individuals include adults at Westcliff Promenade, Southend (Essex) and Walpole Park Lake, Gosport (Hants), whilst a crop of new arrivals involved an adult at Llys-y-Fran Country Park (Pembs) (to 1st), a 2nd-w2inter in Penrhos Bay car park (Anglesey) (from 1st-10th), an adult at Strathclyde Country Park (Clyde) (1st-2nd & 8th), a first-winter at Lamby Lake (Glamorgan) (1st-10th), a first-winter at Stithians Reservoir (Cornwall) on 6th & 9th, an adult at Boddington Reservoir (Northants) (7th & 9th) and a first-winter at Dale Seafront (Pembs) on 8th.

 

CASPIAN GULL

A large number of reports with Hole Haven Creek (Essex) yielding most individuals, but with 3 at Minsmere RSPB (Suffolk), several at Chasewater (Staffs), a first-winter at Theale Moatlands Pit (Berks) on 1st-2nd, a 2nd-winter at Belvide Reservoir (Staffs) on 1st, up to 2 at Stubber's Green (West Midlands), a 1st-winter at Harewood (North Yorks) on 3rd, up to 5 in the Dungeness Area (Kent), a 3rd-winter at Draycote Water (Warks) on 4th, a 1st-winter at Belvide on 5th & 8th, a 1st-winter on Strathclyde Loch (Clyde) on 5th-7th and two at Rainham Marshes RSPB (London).

 

BLACK GUILLEMOT

In South Devon, one was present off of the River Otter NR on 3rd-4th.

 

SNOWY OWL

Belated news concerned a female on the Cairngorm Mountains photographed on Ben Macdui by a hill-walker on 16th February (see

 

EURASIAN HOOPOE

In Cornwall, one remained in gardens in the Porthgwarra area from 2nd-6th, whilst in North Wales, one was at Gwydyr Forest Clwyd) from at least 5th-10th (at SH773587). From the B5106 take minor road southwest, past the Nant Bwlch yr haiarn Outdoor Centre and park at disused mine workings after 800m. Follow footpath over a stile and across field to junction with a driveway.

 

SHORE LARK

In North Norfolk, three birds remained at Cley NWT from 1st-10th.

 

RICHARD'S PIPIT

In North Lincolnshire, an elusive individual remains on the seawall and adjacent saltmarsh at Howden's Pullover.

 

BOHEMIAN WAXWING

The very showy Allestree (Derbyshire) adult remained until 2nd, with 20 in Aberdeen on 2nd and 3 in Motherwell (Clyde) on 4th-5th.

 

BLACK-BELLIED DIPPER

In East Yorkshire, the bird still remains on the stream between Mill House and the wood at Watton; park in the layby by Tophill Low turning, cross the A164 and take the footpath along the stream to between road and wood. Keep to public rights of way.

 

SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF

Up to 4 remain at Long Rock Pool, Marazion (Cornwall), with 2 at Darby Green Sewage Works (Berks/Hants bdr) and singles at Coldwaltham Brooks Sewage Farm (Sussex), Radipole Lake RSPB (Dorset) (7th-9th) and West Stow CP (Suffolk) (8th-9th).

 

YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER 

Six recorded, with 1-2 at Lower Nansloe Farm, Helston (Cornwall) and singles at Jarrow Cenetery (Tyneside), Bartonsham Sewage Works, Hereford (SO 522 388), Pottery Wood, Bovey Tracey (South Devon) (SX 813 774) and Plymouth Central Park (South Devon) (SX 474 558).

 

HUME'S LEAF WARBLER

Two birds remain, with singles at Norton Cemetery, Stockton-on-Tees (Cleveland) and in Tehidy Country Park, Camborne (Cornwall) (1st-4th).

 

PALLAS'S LEAF WARBLER

One remained with Firecrests and Goldcrests at Oakenwood SSSI (Dorset) until at least 7th.

 

NORTHERN GREY SHRIKE

Up to 18 individuals remain on winter territory, mainly in southern Britain.

 

ROSE-COLOURED STARLING

In Pembrokeshire, a first-winter remains in Haverfordwest, favouring gardens at the rear of Portgain, viewed from the access path on Jury Lane c.SM955155. There is ample parking behind the playing field on Jury Lane. Do not enter private gardens and respect residents' privacy. 

 

WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW

One of the most popular vagrants of all-time, the adult male remains in Cley village (North Norfolk) until at least 9th.

 

LAPLAND BUNTING

At Salthouse Beach (Norfolk), one female from this winter's bumper influx remains, whilst elsewhere, some 8-10 remain at Howden's Pullover (North Lincs), 4 at Trevose Head (Cornwall), 2 at Worth Marshes, Sandwich Bay (Kent) and 1 at Filey Tip (North Yorks). Up to 3 remained at Buckden (Cambs) until 2nd.